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Notebook: Unbalanced Budget
Only On The Web: As Congress and the president battle over the budget, Katie Couric discusses the government's debt and how it affects individuals.

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Katie Couric's Notebook: Unbalanced

Posted by Katie Couric

Hi, everyone.

Yesterday, President Bush unveiled next year's budget. While it's more a wish list than a plan—because Congress still has to approve every penny--something was missing from the Administration's press conferences.

Despite the promise that we're just five years from a balanced budget, the truth is--when the real costs of Iraq and entitlements and tax cuts are taken into account--we're about as far from that goal as ever.

Why does the government's debt matter to your family? Two reasons.

First, for your security. Big deficits mean we depend on loans from countries like China...so how can we get tough on our banker for supporting North Korea and Sudan?

Second, for your legacy. Do we, the baby boomers, really want to be the first generation to leave more debt, rather than more opportunity, for the next? That debt--unless we do something about it--will cost our children about $30,000 each.

That's a page from my notebook.

5:40 PM : February 6, 2007
| Permalink | Katie's Notebook posts

February 6, 2007

Katie: I Was Bowled Over In Miami

Posted by Katie Couric

(AP Photo)

There's been lots of analysis this week about the Super Bowl – everything from the Colts' championship defense to the rainy weather, to whether those much-hyped ads were effective.

But what really struck me was how rare the whole Super Bowl experience is. There are so few times when we all gather together at the same moment, on the same day, to do to the same thing.

I was lucky to be at the game in Miami -- rainy Miami, that is. Watching and imagining so many people glued to their TVs at home reminded me of what a wonderful communal experience this event provides. We have too few of these shared experiences these days, when you can now pick and choose exactly when and how you want to watch your favorite television program, or which songs you want to hear on your iPod, and in what order.

This was my first time seeing the game up close. So much is invested in this day for the athletes and their families, the sponsors, the fans, and the host city. It was such an exciting, spirited atmosphere from the moment of kickoff.

It was also fun seeing the game through my daughter's eyes, though her eyes were more focused on celebrities who were there -- like Justin Timberlake and Scarlett Johanssan -- than on the actual game. But who can blame her? It was hard not to be star-struck in Miami. Jim Carrey, LL Cool J, and John Mellencamp were just some of the people I bumped into. I also was lucky to spend some time with Colts star Peyton Manning's proud brother and mother.

It's too bad there aren't more events that celebrate how much we all have in common, instead of what separates us.

5:15 PM : February 6, 2007
| Permalink | Field Notes posts

February 6, 2007

Rudy Gets Ready To Run

Posted by Vaughn Ververs

Vaughn Ververs is senior political editor for CBSNews.com.

(CBS/EARLY SHOW)

“America’s Mayor” has taken his furthest step yet toward a run for the White House, but Rudy Giuliani may have one of the toughest roads ahead of any prospective candidate. The man many Americans know from his steadfast leadership of New York City during 9/11 is flying high in the polls, both nationally and in key primary states. The conventional wisdom holds that his moderate social positions and steadiness in crisis makes Giuliani the strongest Republican candidate in a general election if he could just capture the nomination.

Giuliani has his work cut out for him getting to that point. He’ll have to convince enough of those party stalwarts in places like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to look the other way on key issues they disagree on – abortion, gun control and gay rights to mention a few. Giuliani has begun to have that conversation. When it comes to abortion, he says he wants to appoint “strict constructionists” to the courts – judges like Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito.

On gun control, Giuliani defends his record as mayor of New York but says what worked in a big city isn’t necessary everyplace. He says marriage should be between a man and a woman but has signed domestic partnership legislation and says it’s important to recognize such relationships. Translation: I’m not going to crusade on abortion, I won’t take away your guns and I’ll defend the traditional definition of marriage.

In a Republican field that is going to be crowded, it’s a message that might work. Republicans, unlike Democrats, have winner-take all primary contests and with five or even six serious candidates, it’s possible to win with less than a majority of primary votes.

Will it work? It’s certainly possible, but I wonder whether Giuliani risks damaging the very elements which make him such an attractive general election candidate in the first place. What happens when the steady hand which comforted New York, and much of the nation, on 9/11 and during its aftermath begins to sound like any other politician? Will voters who might be attracted to Rudy today start to get turned off by his “strict constructionist” judges and his defense of marriage? In order to get the nomination, he has to bend toward his party’s base to some degree.

The question is, can he bend without being broken?

5:00 PM : February 6, 2007
| Permalink | Politics posts

February 6, 2007

First Look: Blocking Debate

Posted by Greg Kandra

The First Look today comes from Washington, where Bob Schieffer and Senior Producer Jim McGlinchy preview one of the big stories there: the Senate GOP blocking debate on the President's proposed troop surge.

3:35 PM : February 6, 2007
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February 6, 2007

Smackdown?

Posted by Sharyl Attkisson

(CBS)

A couple of weeks ago, the 110th Congress seemed universally poised for a bipartisan smackdown with the President over the unpopular war in Iraq. Controlled by Democrats, the Senate was going to paint a scarlet letter on any troop increase in Iraq... calling it "not in the national interest." It looked like quite a few Republicans might jump aboard, too. Ouch.

What's happened since is fascinating. But before we get to that, you need to understand a little bit about the quirks of the Senate. I'll try to make it as painless as possible.

Democrats hold a Senate majority of 51 seats; Republicans have 49. But 51 votes isn't enough to pass an Iraq Resolution or anything else because of a little tactical maneuver called a "filibuster." It takes just one Senator to put the skids on things with a filibuster; it takes a full 60 votes to stop him. To reach 60 in a Senate that's almost evenly split, each side needs the vote of every Senator in their own party, plus nine to 11 members of the other party. That's a tall order.

Okay, I tried to make it painless. Now here's how all that comes into play...
Read more

3:09 PM : February 6, 2007
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February 6, 2007

Life In A Baghdad Neighborhood

Posted by Greg Kandra

(CBS)

Pentagon producer Mary Walsh forwarded us the following press release, from the public affairs office in Iraq.

Writes Mary: "It's the grittiest close-to-the-ground description of how US troops are living and working under this new plan to get out into the streets and try to secure the place..."

We thought it was a pretty interesting snapshot of life in one small corner of Baghdad, as seen through the army's own lens. So here's part of the release:

BAGHDAD - Basing Iraqi Army and U.S. troops at an outpost in central Ghazaliya is a first in the Iraqi capital. Combat Outpost (COP) "Casino" has been operating for the past two weeks with Soldiers from Company C, Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment.

Being based in Ghazaliya has seen its share of success stories. Just days after moving in, Cpl. Peter Callahan, a medic, saved the life of a 4-year-old girl who was brought in by her family with a pulse below 40 beats per minute. After checking her wounds and giving her initial aid, Soldiers evacuated the girl and her mother to a medical center for further treatment.
During a patrol in Ghazaliya, Spc. John Laweryson, driving a humvee, spotted suspicious looking vehicle. One of the men inside was acting strangely.

"I thought either he was wounded, or trying to hide something," Spc. Laweryson said. "The vehicle turned around like they were trying to slip away from our patrol and our guys blocked them. They then scattered on foot and dispersed into a building."

When the vehicle was searched, a kidnap victim was found in the trunk of the car with his hands bound together. He was taken to the outpost. After two days, his father arrived to take him home in a very emotional reunion.

Combat Outpost Casino is surrounded by concrete barriers and includes six houses. Three of the houses belong to the Iraqi Army and three to U.S. forces. A large field is also enclosed within the perimeter of barriers, eventually to serve as a parking lot for vehicles.

Living conditions at the outpost are Spartan. Soldiers sleep in crowded rooms with no heating. There is no running water or sewage system, but the troops built outhouses which they service themselves.

In other words: just another day in paradise.

1:27 PM : February 6, 2007
| Permalink | Field Notes posts

February 5, 2007

Katie Couric's Notebook: SAD Story

Posted by Katie Couric

Hi, everyone.

Feeling the winter blues? You're not alone.

Almost one in five Americans lives with some form of seasonal affected disorder -- known, appropriately enough, by its acronym: SAD.

As days become shorter--and darker--SAD sufferers experience declines in mood, energy, and productivity, symptoms that can last from as early as September to as late as April, depending on where you live -- leading to a seven-month long, yearly depression for millions of people.

Promising research suggests that seasonal affected disorder resembles jet lag in the way it interrupts our sleep cycle and may be treated with tiny doses of melatonin.

But until this new theory is proven, medical experts agree that exposure to high-intensity light boxes--which can replicate summer sunrises--are a big help.

As always, we're urged to resist the temptation to carbo-load in the winter and--difficult as it is--to stick to a regular exercise plan.

That's a page from my notebook.

4:09 PM : February 5, 2007
| Permalink | Katie's Notebook posts

February 5, 2007

First Look: American Spirit

Posted by Greg Kandra

For today's First Look, Katie offers a preview of a special series running this week on the CBS Evening News: "American Spirit," celebrating some of solutions people have found to our country's most challenging problems.

3:32 PM : February 5, 2007
| Permalink | First Look posts

February 5, 2007

Two Friends, Two Fates

Posted by Andrew Cohen

Lawyer Andrew Cohen analyzes legal affairs for CBS News and CBSNews.com.

(CBS)

On Wednesday, there will be a funeral service in California for one of my oldest and best friends, Dennis Mihelic, who was killed Saturday night when the car he was in, driven by a friend, lost control and rolled over. On Thursday, on the other coast, another great and good and old friend, Michael Colman, a Commander in the United States Navy, will be awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service to his country. Oh, how I would wish I would be traveling this week to the Pentagon instead of to Orange County.

There is no bright spot in the story of the end of Dennis’ life. There never is when someone dies long before their time. My friend was killed instantly and brutally in front of his beloved wife and sweet son, both of whom now will bring that moment along with them all the rest of their days. Worse, the friend driving the Mihelics that night now has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. Whether or not he is ever formally charged or tried or convicted, he, too, will have to live with his guilt all the rest of his days.

During my 10 years on the law beat, I have read probably one thousand different stories about drunk drivers and have covered, or at least kept my eye upon, maybe a hundred or so drunk-driving-related cases. I have heard and seen first-hand the devastation that drunk driving brings to the families of its victims and now this time I am experiencing it myself. For me, there is no point in asking why; no point in raging at the inequities of life. For me, the father of a wonderful son, all I have been able to think about since I heard about Dennis’s death is his own son...

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3:13 PM : February 5, 2007
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February 5, 2007

Meet Some Amazing Americans

Posted by Katie Couric

(CBS)

There's so much bad news making the airwaves these days that we wanted to celebrate some solutions. I'm very excited about "The American Spirit" series that starts tonight. We're highlighting great people doing innovative things in the country. It's part of a continuing series we plan to feature here on the Evening News.

Tonight we're profiling Janice Brown, the superintendent of schools in Kalamazoo, Mich., who came up with a concept called "America's Promise." She spent five years schmoozing and talking with wealthy people in the area. She convinced them to contribute $12 million every year which allows every kid in Kalamazoo to go to college. They get a free ride if they maintain a "C" average and attend the school for a period of time. After four years they get 65 % coverage, and it goes up the longer they're in the school system.

The program has caused a ripple effect that has brought a lot of new families to Kalamazoo, transforming a depressed city and giving it a shot in the arm. Janice hopes after they're educated, these kids will want to come back and, as one student told me, "return the favor."

That’s just for starters. Throughout the week, you’ll meet other amazing Americans: people who saw a problem and took matters into their own hands to do something about it. They are also very selfless. These are men and women who are working for the greater good. We're lucky that they're smart enough to recognize a problem and realize they have the talent to help fix it.

But these stories are just the beginning. In the months to come, we want to highlight more people who are not getting the attention they deserve. And we need your help. If you know of anyone who fits the mold please e-mail us your ideas (please write, "American Spirit" in the subject line). Meantime, watch the series and tell us what you think. We look forward to hearing from you!

11:22 AM : February 5, 2007
| Permalink | Field Notes posts

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